The ongoing tension between India and Pakistan has once again escalated, with Pakistan claiming that Indian airstrikes on May 7 led to significant civilian casualties and the shootdown of Indian fighter jets. The strikes were conducted as part of India's Operation Sindoor, which aimed to target terrorist sites in Pakistan, a retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, which left 26 people dead.

Pakistan's Claims and Civilian Impact

According to Xinhua, China's state news agency, sources from the Pakistan military reported that at least eight civilians were killed, and 35 others were injured, with two individuals still missing in the aftermath of the Indian airstrikes. These casualties reportedly occurred across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which were targeted by India’s missile strikes. Furthermore, Pakistan claimed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully shot down up to five Indian fighter jets and destroyed several Indian quadcopters that allegedly violated Pakistan's airspace. However, these claims have not been independently verified, and India has not acknowledged any aircraft losses.

India's Official Response

India's defense ministry framed the airstrikes under Operation Sindoor as a counter-terrorism measure targeting terrorist locations involved in the Pahalgam attack. The operation, according to India, was focused, measured, and non-escalatory, deliberately avoiding military infrastructure in Pakistan to prevent further escalation of the conflict. A total of nine locations were hit by India, but no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. India emphasized that the airstrikes were a response to terrorism, aiming to hold the attackers responsible for the Pahalgam incident.

Pakistan's Diplomatic Response

In the wake of the airstrikes, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement condemning India’s actions, accusing the Indian Air Force of violating Pakistan’s sovereignty by using standoff weapons that allegedly targeted civilian populations across the international border. This framing of the events was prominently carried by Xinhua, reflecting China’s support for Pakistan, a longstanding ally. The Chinese state media’s narrative echoed Pakistan's claims without including India’s justification, presenting a one-sided view of the incident.

China’s Position and Strategic Cooperation with Pakistan

As an "ironclad ally" of Pakistan, China has maintained a supportive stance, condemning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and calling for restraint and peaceful resolution between India and Pakistan. Chinese authorities, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, have urged both countries to avoid actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability. China’s close strategic and military cooperation with Pakistan has been a point of contention in its relations with India, especially in moments of conflict.

Xinhua’s Role in the Narrative

The coverage by Xinhua of the May 7 airstrikes highlights China’s broader diplomatic positioning in South Asia. While China has not made an official statement on the airstrikes, the framing of events in Xinhua’s report reflects Pakistan’s narrative, which is aligned with China’s long-standing policy of supporting Pakistan in the face of Indian military actions. The absence of India’s perspective in Chinese state media is a consistent pattern in moments of India-Pakistan tension, where China tends to reflect Pakistan’s views on issues involving sovereignty and military conflict.

Conclusion

The India-Pakistan conflict continues to be a volatile issue, with airstrikes and military operations escalating the tensions between the two nations. While India justifies its actions as necessary for counter-terrorism, Pakistan and China have framed the airstrikes as violations of sovereignty and attacks on civilians. With the Pahalgam attack still fresh in the minds of many, India's Operation Sindoor seems likely to have long-lasting geopolitical consequences in the region.

The international community, particularly China, has called for calm and restraint from both sides, urging India and Pakistan to prioritize peace and stability over further military action. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation depending on the responses from both governments.

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